She could hold serve from 0-40 down in the third set to avoid falling a double-break behind.

But she couldn’t produce a third escape act in the pulsating Australian Open women’s final, a decider to live long in the memory.

Kvitova played her part in Saturday night’s dramatic final, jumping off the canvas when all looked lost before submitting to Naomi Osaka 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-4.

Given what the Czech has been through off the court, it’s no surprise Kvitova would show such fighting qualities.

The victim of a home invasion two years ago, the two-time Wimbledon champion laid bare her struggle to regain form in the aftermath of her hand injuries.

“It’s crazy. I can’t believe I just played a final of a grand slam again,” she said on the presentation dais through tears.

“It’s a great tournament for me. It is a big honour to hold this beautiful trophy as well. It has been a while to be in a final for me and I need to thank my family and friends back home who were really supporting me right through the match.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who made this possible.

“To my team, thank you for everything. But mostly, thank you for sticking with me even when we didn’t know if I would able to hold a racquet again.

“Every single day you have been supporting me and staying positive for me, which I really needed. It probably was not easy, so thank you so. And a big thank you to all of you who came to support us.”

Petra Kvitova was already a winner.Source:AAP

The No. 8 seed also made the poignant comment that she had “already won two years ago” when against all odds she returned to the sport she loves.

Kvitova’s emotional reflection on how far she’s come since suffering the horrific injuries that threatened to end her career provided the most touching moment of the night.

The mental demons she had to overcome, as well as the physical, had the world in awe and hearts melted during her tearful address.

Well said! Everyone in the tennis family is so proud of @Petra_Kvitova making it back to her career high of #2 which looked improbable after the attack. Very beautiful, heartfelt speech👏😢 https://t.co/XfsKNGVC2f

Doctors gave Kvitova a 10 per cent chance of playing elite tennis again after the violent home invasion which left her with a near-severed finger and nerve damage in her hand.

There were also emotional scars. Kvitova couldn’t even be alone in a changeroom when she returned to the main stage at the 2017 French Open. A first-round loss to German Andrea Petkovic at last year’s Australian Open was a self-described low point in her comeback.